Rubin Kazan made light of a three-month break from competitive football and winter temperatures below minus 10 Celsius to beat Hapoel Tel Aviv 3-0 in the first leg of their Europa League knockout tie.
Young Russian forward Alexander Bukharov made the difference on an appalling-looking pitch, scoring two fine goals in the first half and teeing up veteran midfielder Sergei Semak for the third midway through the second period.
The return leg will take place in a week's time in Israel - where temperatures could be 40 degrees above the -14 C registered on the thermometer in Kazan at kickoff - but barring a major upset the Russian champions should go through to face either Villereal of Spain or Germany's Wolfsburg in the next round.
Bukharov, the top Russian goalscorer in the country last year but a controversial omission from the Russia side defeated by Slovenia in the World Cup playoff last November, opened the scoring on 14 minutes, flicking a long pass over his marker before heading the bouncing ball beyond the goalkeeper and slotting home.
Bristling with confidence and purpose, the 24-year-old then lashed home a left-footed volley from close range after a cross from the right wing.
The final goal was delivered on a plate to Semak, usually a defensive midfielder but playing in an advanced role in Rubin's first game since the departure of Argentinean playmaker Alejandro Dominguez for Spain at the end of the 2009 Russian season.
Bukharov latched onto a through ball but after being forced wide by Hapoel keeper Vincent Enyeama he took the time to compose himself and laid the ball back to Semak, who finished simply from around the penalty spot to seal the victory.
MOSCOW, February 18 (RIA Novosti)
